The life of a child soldier is unimaginable.
Gloria was 10 years old when she was abducted by the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda and forced to fight with them. The terror of horrifying violence, sexual exploitation, and physical labor continued for a year until she found an opportunity to escape. She returned home to learn that her brother had been killed by the rebels.
Three years later, at age 14, Gloria was abducted again. A commander threatened her life if she did not become his "wife." A horrifying choice, Gloria found a way to escape one week later. Seeking safety, her family was moved to a camp for internally displaced persons under "ghastly conditions" according to our partners at ChildVoice International.
In 2009, 19-year-old Gloria joined the ChildVoice beading program, and her life started changing. She was quickly known for her fast beading abilities, pumping out 230+ paper beads
per day. Her wages helped to support her family. She currently owns two chickens and several goats, helps send her brother to school, and is saving money to purchase bricks so that she can build her own home. She is referred to as "a great light in the ChildVoice family."
Gloria says, “ChildVoice has given me skills and knowledge that will help me in the future. I can use these to help others. The prayers [Bible studies] have also helped me a lot. It has given me peace in my heart and hope in my life. I thank ChildVoice very much for that.”
An exciting new chapter begins in Gloria's life as she is now expecting her first child!
